Menstrual cramps are painful, uncomfortable, and inconvenient — but for many women, they’re also an almost monthly occurrence. As of 2014, around 80% of menstruating females experience some kind of menstrual pain each month. For some women, the discomfort is manageable with over-the-counter painkillers and home remedies — but for others, it can be so severe that it interferes with everyday activities. For these reasons and more, researching the science behind CBD for menstrual cramps has become increasingly popular in recent years. This article will explain the role of CBD in reducing the symptoms of period pain; its effectiveness at doing so; and how to use CBD to treat your period pains more effectively.

What is CBD?

CBD is one of over 100 compounds found in the cannabis plant — although unlike the compound THC, it doesn’t produce a “high.” You’re likely to have heard the word “cannabis” used to describe marijuana or other related drugs. However, “cannabis” is a term that describes all plants in the “marijuana” family. These plants have been used for their medicinal benefits for thousands of years. Early medicinal uses of cannabis include treating pain and inflammation; improving mood and sleep quality; and managing anxiety and other mental health conditions.

How Can CBD Help With Cramps?

CBD has many different properties that make it particularly useful for menstrual cramps. Let’s take a look at some of these. First, CBD is an analgesic. This means that it can help manage pain by blocking the pathways that send pain signals to the brain.

This pain-relieving effect means that CBD can be used to treat both acute and chronic pain, including menstrual cramps. Second, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, meaning that it can help reduce redness and swelling in the body. This can help menstrual cramps by reducing the swelling in and around the uterus. CBD is also believed to have an impact on serotonin levels. Low serotonin levels can cause an increased sensitivity to pain and cramps — so, by raising serotonin levels, CBD can help to reduce pain. As well as helping with menstrual cramps, CBD has been shown to help with a wide range of other menstrual symptoms. These include mood swings and anxiety, bloating and fluid retention, and headache and fatigue.

Using CBD For Menstrual Cramps: How, When, & Where?

There isn’t an “ideal” CBD dosage for menstrual cramps. Instead, this dosage will depend on the concentration of CBD in your product. This can vary from product to product — and it’s important to check this before deciding how to use CBD for menstrual cramps. Depending on how severe your menstrual cramps are, you can take CBD in a few different ways. You can swallow CBD oil, apply it topically, or vape it

— or even use a combination of these methods. When taking CBD for cramps, experts recommend taking it regularly throughout the month — with the dosage being higher at the beginning of your period.

Understanding The Role Of CBD In Menstrual Pain Relief

Now that we’ve looked at all the ways that CBD can help with menstrual cramps, it’s important to understand how it does so. As we’ve seen, CBD is effective at managing pain and other menstrual symptoms due to its various properties. However, there are two main ways that CBD manages pain. First, it activates pathways in the brain associated with pain-relief. Second, it blocks pathways that send pain signals to the brain — so, by doing both things, CBD can help to manage pain far more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers. As we’ve seen, CBD has many benefits for menstrual cramps — but it can also help with other types of pain too. This makes CBD a great pain-relief option for many people — particularly those who can’t take common painkillers.

Conclusion

For many women, menstrual cramps are an uncomfortable and painful monthly occurrence — but they don’t have to be. Luckily, there is a safe and effective alternative to painkillers: CBD. Vaping or taking CBD oil can help you manage your menstrual cramps by blocking pain signals; increasing serotonin levels; and reducing pain and redness in the body. As well as helping with cramps, CBD can also help with other menstrual symptoms — including mood swings and anxiety, bloating and fluid retention, and headache and fatigue. Aside from the benefits for people with period pains, CBD can also help with other types of pain — including joint pains and sports injuries. If you’ve been struggling to find a natural and effective way to manage your menstrual cramps, then CBD could be the perfect solution. To learn more, please visit EastWestHerbal.com